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{{Short description|Yemeni science communicator}}
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{{Article for deletion/dated|page=Hashem Al-Ghaili|timestamp=20231201200222|year=2023|month=December|day=1|substed=yes}}
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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Hashem Al-Ghaili
| name = Hashem Al-Ghaili
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| nationality = Yemeni
| nationality = Yemeni
| occupation = {{hlist|Science communicator|Director|Producer}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Science communicator|Director|Producer}}
| website = https://hashem-alghaili.com/
}}
}}


'''Hashem Al-Ghaili''' (born August 11, 1990) is a Yemeni [[molecular biologist]], [[science communication|science communicator]], and director. He is best known for his eponymous [[Facebook]] page, which he created in 2009. There, he publishes [[infographics]] and short-form videos about scientific news are research.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shehab |first=Ibrahim |date=2018-02-21 |title=The man with 16 million fans |url=https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20180222-the-man-with-16-million-fans |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=BBC}}</ref> As of October 2022, the page had secured more than 32 million followers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Ratner |first=Paul |date=2022-10-08 |title=‘Let’s build the ring’: How a 360-degree image posted on Facebook inspired an ambitious sci-fi film |url=https://interestingengineering.com/science/hashem-al-ghaili-interview-sci-fi-film-orbital |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Interesting Engineering |language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Hashem Al-Ghaili''' (born August 11, 1990) is a Yemeni [[science communication|science communicator]], director and producer. He is best known for his [[infographics]] and videos about scientific breakthroughs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2016/03/a-yemeni-youth-becomes-a-science-superstar-on-facebook/|title=A Yemeni Youth Becomes a Science Superstar on Facebook|work=Al-Fanar Media|date=6 March 2016 |accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=businessinsider>{{cite news|last1=Kincaid|first1=Ellie|title=Here are the top 30 science stories of the year so far|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/top-30-science-stories-of-2015-so-far-2015-7|accessdate=2 July 2015|publisher=Business Insider|date=1 July 2015}}</ref><ref name=yahoofinance>{{cite news|last1=Kincaid|first1=Ellie|title=30 amazingly futuristic breakthroughs that have happened this year|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-30-science-stories-far-183913881.html|accessdate=10 July 2015|publisher=[[Yahoo Finance]]|date=1 July 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20180222-the-man-with-16-million-fans The man with 16 million fans: Yemeni influencer Hashem Al-Ghaili has created a massive online following by spreading his love of science with followers around the world.] BBC, Feb 22. 2018.</ref>

This sizable following has attracted interest from sociologists, which ultimately led to Al-Ghaili's page being included in a 2018 [[Pew Research Center]] investigation into the impact of science content on social media.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Olmstead |first=Kenneth |last2=Hitlin |first2=Paul |date=2018-03-21 |title=The Science People See on Social Media |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2018/03/21/the-science-people-see-on-social-media/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Pew Research Center Science & Society |language=en-US}}</ref>

Al-Ghaili made his directorial debut in 2019 with the award-winning short ''Simulation,'' which received recognition at several awards ceremonies and international film festivals.<ref name=":3">{{Citation |title=Simulation (Short 2019) - Awards - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9903692/awards/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-02 |title=An interview with Hashem Al-Ghaili |url=https://www.vegasmovieawards.com/post/simulation |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Vegas Movie Awards |language=en}}</ref> He self-published his first book, ''Simulation: The Great Escape'', in 2023.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Al-Ghaili |first=Hashem |url=https://www.amazon.com/Simulation-Great-Escape-Hashem-Al-Ghaili/dp/B0CFZFJDRK |title=Simulation: The Great Escape |date=2023-08-16 |publisher=Self-published |year=2023 |isbn=979-8-9887403-0-8 |language=English}}</ref>


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
Al-Ghaili was born in [[Yemen]] in 1990. He was raised with 11 siblings in the northern part of the country, where his family owned a qat farm. After graduating from high school at 16, Al-Ghaili's father wanted him to work on the family farm. However, Al-Ghaili secretly applied for a government scholarship to study abroad.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pukas |first=Anna |date=2018-07-09 |title=From a farm in northern Yemen to Internet science sensation — the journey of Hashem Al-Ghaili |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1336071/middle-east |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> He earned his Bachelor's Degree at the [[University of Peshawar]] in [[Pakistan]] in 2008 and received his Master's Degree in [[Molecular biology|Molecular Biology]] from [[Constructor University]] (formerly Jacobs University) in Germany in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Logemann |first=Kristina |date=2016-12-14 |title=I like it! The unusual career of Hashem Al-Ghaili |url=https://info.constructor.university/i-it-unusual-career-hashem-al-ghaili |access-date=2024-03-11 |work=Constructor University - Inspiration is a Place}}</ref>
Al-Ghaili's work in [[science communication]] gained the attention of science news sources and [[social media]] users alike.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://positivists.org/blog/archives/2325|title=Promoting Science - An Interview with Hashem Al-Ghaili|work=positivists.org|accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alrasub.com/hashem-al-ghaili-facebook-success-story/|title=Hashem Al-ghaili : Facebook Success Story|author=Hamida|work=Al-Rasub|accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/27161-s |title=21 World-Renowned Scientists Facing the American Travel Ban |last=Ronson |first=Jacqueline |date=January 31, 2017 |website= |publisher=Inverse |access-date=October 1, 2017 |quote=}}</ref> As of 25 November 2018, he has over 10 billion total views and over 30 million followers on his [[Facebook]] page.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://o.canada.com/news/science-blogger-under-fire-for-lack-of-facebok-credit|title=I Fucking Love Science's Elise Andrew criticized for not giving credit - canada.com|author=|work=canada.com|accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailydot.com/society/fucking-love-science-facebook-theft-elise-andrew/|title=I F**king Love Science and Facebook's problem with content theft|work=The Daily Dot|date=24 April 2013|accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BqXVGDiAgjr/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BqXVGDiAgjr |archive-date=2021-12-26 |url-access=registration|title=Hashem Al-Ghaili on Instagram: "New Milestone: 30 million science enthusiasts follow my Facebook page! In addition, the videos have so garnered 10 billion views! Thank you…"|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=2018-11-25}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ScienceNaturePage|title=Hashem Al-Ghaili|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-25}}</ref>

In 2009, Al-Ghaili created his eponymous Facebook page and started posting images and videos about scientific news and research. In November of 2018, he had more than 16 million followers.<ref name=":0" /> By 2022, his following had increased to more than 32 million.<ref name=":2" />

Al-Ghaili's work in [[science communication]] has gained the attention of science news sources, academics, and political commentators.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hamida |title=Hashem Al-ghaili : Facebook Success Story |url=http://www.alrasub.com/hashem-al-ghaili-facebook-success-story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029203932/https://alrasub.com/hashem-al-ghaili-facebook-success-story/ |archive-date=29 October 2020 |accessdate=17 May 2016 |work=Al-Rasub}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Khulbe |first=Yashita |last2=Gupta |first2=Shiva |last3=Javed |first3=Binish |last4=Neyazi |first4=Ahmad |last5=Padhi |first5=Bijaya K. |date=2023-03-24 |title=Artificial womb: opportunities and challenges for public health |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10389474/ |journal=International Journal of Surgery (London, England) |volume=109 |issue=3 |pages=618–619 |doi=10.1097/JS9.0000000000000208 |issn=1743-9191 |pmid=36912561|pmc=10389474 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ronson |first=Jacqueline |date=January 31, 2017 |title=21 World-Renowned Scientists Facing the American Travel Ban |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/27161-s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803164950/https://www.inverse.com/article/27161-s |archive-date=August 3, 2021 |access-date=October 1, 2017 |website= |publisher=Inverse |quote=}}</ref> His page was a part of a 2018 investigation into the impact of science content on social media by the [[Pew Research Center]]. The investigation found that, across all pages analyzed, the highest amount of engagement was consistently seen on visual posts that had little additional information.<ref name=":1" />

Al-Ghaili's concept designs have likewise gained the attention of news outlets and internet personalities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Madden |first=Duncan |title=Would You Take A Sky Cruise In A Nuclear Powered Flying Hotel? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/duncanmadden/2022/07/01/would-you-take-a-sky-cruise-in-a-nuclear-powered-flying-hotel/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Awaja |first=Yasmeen E. |date=2022-08-02 |title=Nuclear sky hotel not impossible, video creator says |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/nuclear-sky-hotel/index.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thackray |first=Lucy |date=2022-06-28 |title=Inside the nuclear-powered ‘flying hotel’ that can stay airborne for months |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/sky-cruise-flying-hotel-ai-nuclear-b2110050.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> On several occasions, these hyper-realistic digital renderings were taken out of context by online users, who mistakenly believed that they were real.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evon |first=Dan |date=2022-07-15 |title=Is This 'Sky Hotel' Real? |url=https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/is-sky-hotel-real/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Snopes |language=en}}</ref> For example, in 2022, there was an outcry after Al-Ghaili posted a concept video for an artificial womb facility. [[Candace Owens]], a conservative political commentator and television presenter, responded to the video, saying "A German scientist has unveiled an artificial birthing pod that could replace a mother's womb. It always starts with a good sell, but the slippery slope will end up with the government dictating who can and can't have children. The 'dystopian future' we often talk about could actually be a lot closer than we think."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Insanely Creepy Video Describes Invention of Artificial Womb - YouTube |url=https://perma.cc/TF38-KD5X |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Candance Owens Podcast |language=en-us}}</ref>


In response to the outcry, a number of media publications enlisted fact-checkers to investigate the claims made by Owens and others. Al-Ghaili also responded in multiple interviews; "I understand that the video was taken out of context and some people shared it online as if it were real.The main goal of creating the video was to ignite the discussion about an emerging technology and to highlight scientific progress in the field of ectogenesis," he said.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petersen |first=Kate S. |title=Fact check: Artificial womb facility animation is a 'concept,' technology doesn't yet exist |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/01/18/fact-check-artificial-womb-facility-idea-doesnt-exist-yet-pregnancy-gestation/11041946002/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tulp |first=Sophia |date=2022-12-23 |title=Video of ‘artificial womb’ concept doesn’t show real facility |url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-artificial-womb-simulation-video-348593206360 |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
His direction credits include This Week in Science Series,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hplusmagazine.com/2013/02/18/this-week-in-science-11-17-feb-2013-by-hashem-al-ghaili/|title=This Week in Science 11-17 Feb 2013 by Hashem AL-ghaili|work=h+ Media|date=18 February 2013 |accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/last-week-in-science/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204213157/http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/last-week-in-science/ |archive-date=2013-12-04 |title=From Quarks to Quasars » This week in Science}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/47808265@N08/|title=Hashem AL-ghaili|work=Flickr - Photo Sharing!|date=2 November 2015|accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://unionvgf.com/index.php?threads/this-week-in-science-by-hashem-al-ghaili.1749/|title=This week in science by Hashem AL-ghaili.|work=unionvgf.com|accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref> and several videos published online including The Future is Now,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.33rdsquare.com/2013/03/hashem-al-ghaili-future-is-now.html|title=Hashem AL-ghaili The Future Is Now|work=33rdsquare.com|accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref> and In Science We Trust.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.33rdsquare.com/2014/03/in-science-we-trust.html|title=In Science We Trust|work=33rdsquare.com|accessdate=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131245/http://www.33rdsquare.com/2014/03/in-science-we-trust.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In 2019, Al-Ghaili pivoted to more serious film work, writing, producing, and directing his first short film, ''Simulation.'' The film has a run time of 23 minutes and received awards and nominations from the Latitude Film Awards, Independent Shorts Awards, and the London Independent Film Awards among others.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-12 |title=2019 Award Winners |url=https://latitudefilmawards.com/august-2019/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Latitude Film Awards. All rights reserved |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-04 |title=Award Winners: September 2019 |url=https://independentshortsawards.com/award-winners-september-2019/ |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=Independent Shorts Awards |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> In 2022, he started work on his first full-length feature film, ''Orbital''.<ref name=":2" /> He self-published his first book, ''Simulation: The Great Escape'', in 2023.<ref name=":4" />
He gave a TEDx talk, in which he pointed out his perceived deficiencies in the current educational system, and theorized on how they could be improved.<ref name="ted">{{cite web |title=How can we change education now |author=Hashem Al-Ghaili |date=30 November 2018 |url=https://www.ted.com/talks/hashem_al_ghaili_how_can_we_change_education_now |accessdate=February 22, 2021}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
Al-Ghaili has received a grant<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knightfoundation.org/grants/201550769/|title=Futurism.co 2.0|work=Knight Foundation|accessdate=17 May 2016|archive-date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328051445/https://knightfoundation.org/grants/201550769/|url-status=live}}</ref> and multiple awards for his dedication to research and his deep understanding of science communication.
* [[German Academic Exchange Service]] (DAAD) Award (2013-2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mahasiswa-aceh.de/2014/11/daad-stipendiaten-treffen-braunchsweig/ |title=DAAD Stipendiaten Treffen Braunchsweig &#124; IMAN |accessdate=2015-07-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724121606/http://www.mahasiswa-aceh.de/2014/11/daad-stipendiaten-treffen-braunchsweig/ |archivedate=2015-07-24 }}</ref>
* [[Ambassador]] to the [[Republic of Yemen]], [[Peshawar University]] (2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fgstudy.com/edu-news/upesh-appoints-hashim-abul-rahman-its-ambassador-yemen |title=Upesh Appoints Hashim Abul rahman as its Ambassador to Yemen &#124; FG Study |accessdate=2015-07-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724114735/http://fgstudy.com/edu-news/upesh-appoints-hashim-abul-rahman-its-ambassador-yemen |archivedate=2015-07-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/748581/uop-sets-up-desk-for-foreign-students|title=UoP sets up desk for foreign students|author=Bureau Report|work=dawn.com|date=11 September 2012|accessdate=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pukhtoogle.com/most-viewed-sections/news-blogs/324-uop-to-increase-enrollment-of-foreign-students-vc-qibla.html|title=UoP to increase enrollment of foreign students: VC Qibla|author=Moxet Khan|work=Pukhtoogle|accessdate=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214135/http://www.pukhtoogle.com/most-viewed-sections/news-blogs/324-uop-to-increase-enrollment-of-foreign-students-vc-qibla.html|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6-N1v1REu8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/H6-N1v1REu8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Simulation|work=AWARD-WINNING Sci-Fi Short Film|accessdate=7 October 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Futurism Excellence in Science Media and Literature Award (2014)<ref name="futurism.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.futurism.com/awards/|title=Awards|work=Futurism|accessdate=17 May 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308122416/http://futurism.com/awards/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Ambassador]] to the [[Republic of Yemen]], [[Peshawar University]] (2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fgstudy.com/edu-news/upesh-appoints-hashim-abul-rahman-its-ambassador-yemen |title=Upesh Appoints Hashim Abul rahman as its Ambassador to Yemen &#124; FG Study |accessdate=2015-07-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724114735/http://fgstudy.com/edu-news/upesh-appoints-hashim-abul-rahman-its-ambassador-yemen |archivedate=2015-07-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/748581/uop-sets-up-desk-for-foreign-students|title=UoP sets up desk for foreign students|author=Bureau Report|work=dawn.com|date=11 September 2012|accessdate=17 May 2016|archive-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714061957/https://www.dawn.com/news/748581/uop-sets-up-desk-for-foreign-students|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pukhtoogle.com/most-viewed-sections/news-blogs/324-uop-to-increase-enrollment-of-foreign-students-vc-qibla.html|title=UoP to increase enrollment of foreign students: VC Qibla|author=Moxet Khan|work=Pukhtoogle|accessdate=17 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214135/http://www.pukhtoogle.com/most-viewed-sections/news-blogs/324-uop-to-increase-enrollment-of-foreign-students-vc-qibla.html|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
Al-Ghaili has directed, produced, and written two science-fiction films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hashem Al-Ghaili |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm10532676/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=IMDb}}</ref> His short film Simulation (2019) has won the Award of Excellence<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award of Excellence – "Simulation" (Germany) – Global-Shorts.net |url=https://www.global-shorts.net/award-of-excellence-simulation-germany/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |language=en-US}}</ref> and Best Visual Effects<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Visual Effects – Moviebrats Studios – "Simulation" (Germany) – Global-Shorts.net |url=https://www.global-shorts.net/best-visual-effects-moviebrats-studios-simulation-germany/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |language=en-US}}</ref> from Los Angeles-based international awards competition Global Shorts.
Al-Ghaili has directed, produced, and written two science-fiction films. His short film Simulation (2019) has won the Award of Excellence<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award of Excellence – "Simulation" (Germany) – Global-Shorts.net |date=28 September 2016 |url=https://www.global-shorts.net/award-of-excellence-simulation-germany/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630101330/https://www.global-shorts.net/award-of-excellence-simulation-germany/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Best Visual Effects<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Visual Effects – Moviebrats Studios – "Simulation" (Germany) – Global-Shorts.net |date=28 September 2016 |url=https://www.global-shorts.net/best-visual-effects-moviebrats-studios-simulation-germany/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |language=en-US |archive-date=2020-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811155937/https://www.global-shorts.net/best-visual-effects-moviebrats-studios-simulation-germany/ |url-status=live }}</ref> from Los Angeles-based international awards competition Global Shorts.


* ''Simulation'' (2019, short film)
* ''Simulation'' (2019, short film)<ref>{{Citation |last=Al-Ghaili |first=Hashem |title=Simulation |date=2019-08-03 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9903692/ |type=Short, Fantasy, Sci-Fi |access-date=2022-06-30}}</ref>
* ''Orbital'' (upcoming)
* ''Orbital'' (2022, upcoming)<ref>{{Citation |last=Al-Ghaili |first=Hashem |title=Orbital |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17078368/ |type=Sci-Fi |access-date=2022-06-30}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 04:56, 18 March 2024

Hashem Al-Ghaili
Born (1990-08-11) August 11, 1990 (age 33)
NationalityYemeni
Alma mater
Jacobs University Bremen, Germany
, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
Occupations
  • Science communicator
  • Director
  • Producer
Websitehttps://hashem-alghaili.com/

Hashem Al-Ghaili (born August 11, 1990) is a Yemeni

infographics and short-form videos about scientific news are research.[1] As of October 2022, the page had secured more than 32 million followers.[2]

This sizable following has attracted interest from sociologists, which ultimately led to Al-Ghaili's page being included in a 2018 Pew Research Center investigation into the impact of science content on social media.[3]

Al-Ghaili made his directorial debut in 2019 with the award-winning short Simulation, which received recognition at several awards ceremonies and international film festivals.[4][5] He self-published his first book, Simulation: The Great Escape, in 2023.[6]

Life and career

Al-Ghaili was born in Yemen in 1990. He was raised with 11 siblings in the northern part of the country, where his family owned a qat farm. After graduating from high school at 16, Al-Ghaili's father wanted him to work on the family farm. However, Al-Ghaili secretly applied for a government scholarship to study abroad.[1][7] He earned his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Peshawar in Pakistan in 2008 and received his Master's Degree in Molecular Biology from Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University) in Germany in 2015.[8]

In 2009, Al-Ghaili created his eponymous Facebook page and started posting images and videos about scientific news and research. In November of 2018, he had more than 16 million followers.[1] By 2022, his following had increased to more than 32 million.[2]

Al-Ghaili's work in science communication has gained the attention of science news sources, academics, and political commentators.[9][10][11] His page was a part of a 2018 investigation into the impact of science content on social media by the Pew Research Center. The investigation found that, across all pages analyzed, the highest amount of engagement was consistently seen on visual posts that had little additional information.[3]

Al-Ghaili's concept designs have likewise gained the attention of news outlets and internet personalities.[12][13][14] On several occasions, these hyper-realistic digital renderings were taken out of context by online users, who mistakenly believed that they were real.[15] For example, in 2022, there was an outcry after Al-Ghaili posted a concept video for an artificial womb facility. Candace Owens, a conservative political commentator and television presenter, responded to the video, saying "A German scientist has unveiled an artificial birthing pod that could replace a mother's womb. It always starts with a good sell, but the slippery slope will end up with the government dictating who can and can't have children. The 'dystopian future' we often talk about could actually be a lot closer than we think."[16]

In response to the outcry, a number of media publications enlisted fact-checkers to investigate the claims made by Owens and others. Al-Ghaili also responded in multiple interviews; "I understand that the video was taken out of context and some people shared it online as if it were real.The main goal of creating the video was to ignite the discussion about an emerging technology and to highlight scientific progress in the field of ectogenesis," he said.[17][18]

In 2019, Al-Ghaili pivoted to more serious film work, writing, producing, and directing his first short film, Simulation. The film has a run time of 23 minutes and received awards and nominations from the Latitude Film Awards, Independent Shorts Awards, and the London Independent Film Awards among others.[19][20][4] In 2022, he started work on his first full-length feature film, Orbital.[2] He self-published his first book, Simulation: The Great Escape, in 2023.[6]

Awards

Al-Ghaili has received a grant[21] and multiple awards for his dedication to research and his deep understanding of science communication.

  • Futurism Excellence in Science Media and Literature Award (2014)[22]
  • Peshawar University (2012)[23][24][25]

Filmography

Al-Ghaili has directed, produced, and written two science-fiction films. His short film Simulation (2019) has won the Award of Excellence[26] and Best Visual Effects[27] from Los Angeles-based international awards competition Global Shorts.

  • Simulation (2019, short film)
  • Orbital (upcoming)

References

  1. ^ a b c Shehab, Ibrahim (2018-02-21). "The man with 16 million fans". BBC. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  2. ^ a b c Ratner, Paul (2022-10-08). "'Let's build the ring': How a 360-degree image posted on Facebook inspired an ambitious sci-fi film". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  3. ^ a b Olmstead, Kenneth; Hitlin, Paul (2018-03-21). "The Science People See on Social Media". Pew Research Center Science & Society. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  4. ^ a b Simulation (Short 2019) - Awards - IMDb, retrieved 2024-03-11
  5. ^ "An interview with Hashem Al-Ghaili". Vegas Movie Awards. 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  6. ^
    ISBN 979-8-9887403-0-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link
    )
  7. ^ Pukas, Anna (2018-07-09). "From a farm in northern Yemen to Internet science sensation — the journey of Hashem Al-Ghaili". Arab News. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  8. ^ Logemann, Kristina (2016-12-14). "I like it! The unusual career of Hashem Al-Ghaili". Constructor University - Inspiration is a Place. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  9. ^ Hamida. "Hashem Al-ghaili : Facebook Success Story". Al-Rasub. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  10. PMID 36912561
    .
  11. ^ Ronson, Jacqueline (January 31, 2017). "21 World-Renowned Scientists Facing the American Travel Ban". Inverse. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  12. ^ Madden, Duncan. "Would You Take A Sky Cruise In A Nuclear Powered Flying Hotel?". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  13. ^ Awaja, Yasmeen E. (2022-08-02). "Nuclear sky hotel not impossible, video creator says". CNN. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  14. ^ Thackray, Lucy (2022-06-28). "Inside the nuclear-powered 'flying hotel' that can stay airborne for months". The Independent. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  15. ^ Evon, Dan (2022-07-15). "Is This 'Sky Hotel' Real?". Snopes. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  16. ^ "Insanely Creepy Video Describes Invention of Artificial Womb - YouTube". Candance Owens Podcast. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  17. ^ Petersen, Kate S. "Fact check: Artificial womb facility animation is a 'concept,' technology doesn't yet exist". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  18. ^ Tulp, Sophia (2022-12-23). "Video of 'artificial womb' concept doesn't show real facility". AP News. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  19. ^ "2019 Award Winners". Latitude Film Awards. All rights reserved. 2019-09-12. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  20. ^ "Award Winners: September 2019". Independent Shorts Awards. 2019-10-04. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  21. ^ "Futurism.co 2.0". Knight Foundation. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  22. ^ "Awards". Futurism. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  23. ^ "Upesh Appoints Hashim Abul rahman as its Ambassador to Yemen | FG Study". Archived from the original on 2015-07-24. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  24. ^ Bureau Report (11 September 2012). "UoP sets up desk for foreign students". dawn.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  25. ^ Moxet Khan. "UoP to increase enrollment of foreign students: VC Qibla". Pukhtoogle. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  26. ^ "Award of Excellence – "Simulation" (Germany) – Global-Shorts.net". 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  27. ^ "Best Visual Effects – Moviebrats Studios – "Simulation" (Germany) – Global-Shorts.net". 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2022-06-30.

External links

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